An apple a day might poison you

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) just released its annual Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, and this year, apples moved up to first place on the Dirty Dozen list of pesticide-contaminated produce (from No. 4 in 2010). Celery was No. 1 last year (and came in second this year). According to USDA figures, 98 percent of the commercially grown apples tested contained residue of 48 different pesticides.

Strawberries, peaches and spinach, respectively, rounded out the top five offenders.

On EWG’s concurrent Clean 15 list, onions came in No. 1 for having the lowest pesticide levels of all commercial produce.

Tip: Pay a little more and buy organic, locally grown produce that you know isn’t loaded with toxic chemicals.